To the Editor of the "NortH-Cuina Dairy News"
Sm—I have a complaint to lodge against the China General Omnibus Company, and hope you will give it prominence in your columns. Before proceeding I must assure you that I have thoroughly investigated the matter, and know what I am talking about. The matter itself may seem unimportant to the "big shots" of the company in question, but for poor evils like myself—who are denied the comforts of streamlined motor cars—it is absolutely vital.
On February 9, at 730 pam, I arrived at the request stop of route No. 1 bus in Vu Yuen Road—first stop east from Jessfield Park. While I stood waiting for the bus, four No. 1, buses, three No, 9 buses, and two No. 20 trailless trams passed in western direction, while only one No. 9 bus passed in eastern direction. At 745 I saw at last bus No. 1 (S.M.C. number 15072) approaching at top speed in eastern direction, and I waved my hand for the driver to stop. He saw me, but continued on his way, paying no attention whatever. I had to wait another 10 minutes before the next bus arrived, and, when eventually I reached my destination downtown, I was quarter of an hour late for an important appointment.
Now this is by no means an isolated case of driver's negligence to put it mildly, and I reported this matter to company's officials about a month ago, but they explained that some buses in the evenings travel only as far as St. Georges, and I accepted this explanation, although, as a matter of fact, driver cannot possibly guess whither I wish to go. I, therefore, decided to investigate the matter, and when on the above date I alighted at Kiangse Road I kept a sharp lookout for the buses on return journey, and there was my No. bus, bearing S.MC. number 15072 travelling back to Jessfield Park!
Next day I spent two hours in the evening at Jessfeld Park terminus. studying bus traffic, and this is what I learned:—Buses arrive at the terminus at normal intervals of three or four minutes. The drivers and conductors alight and spend from 15 to 20 minutes in lively discussions, I wish one of the company officials witnessed this merry gathering! The buses are hopelessly behind the schedule, and, when at last they start, drivers prefer to "step on it," and ignore the passengers at the bus stops in order to save the time.
It seems to me there are many ways to correct this abnormal condition, if China General Omnibus Company only took the trouble of looking into the matter. Should the Company's officials find any difficulty in this respect I shall be glad to give them my advice gratis.
This evening at 745 No. 1 bus, bearing S.M.C. number 15092, failed to stop at Jessfield Park compulsory stop (near Public Telephone booth), and speeded away, the driver ignoring my signals. I travelled down-lown on the next bus, and saw No.
15092 proceeding on the return journey from the Bund. This once more proves to me thatIhave by no means given to You an isolated case of negligence on the part of bus drivers. this sort of thing is a daily occurrence. Shall I quote a few more instances in my next letter?
*You shall
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.